At 69 and 67, my husband and I have done something many would call a little crazy. We packed up our home, placed all our belongings in storage, and set off on a 10 month adventure between our two children. One lives in Ireland, the other in England.
Who knew our golden years could hold this much excitement?
This season of life has proven that adventure after 60 is not only possible, it is deeply rewarding.
Reconnecting, Exploring, Living Fully
It feels thrilling, slightly surreal, and completely freeing. Each day brings the joy of reconnecting with family, discovering new places, and stepping far outside our normal routine.
There are moments when we still pinch ourselves, just to be sure this is real.
Travel in your golden years carries a different kind of richness. There is less rush, more appreciation, and a deeper awareness of how precious time together truly is.
An Open Future Back Home in Pretoria
Back in South Africa, our future is wide open. We have rented out our Pretoria home for two years, giving us the freedom to return without pressure or rigid plans.
When we land back home, who knows what comes next?
For now, we are choosing presence over predictability and embracing the journey one spontaneous detour at a time.
Testing the Caravan Life Dream
Our adventure does not stop when we return. We have already booked several weeks of timeshare holidays and a full month living in a caravan along the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal.
The caravan life is calling.
If we fall in love with it, we plan to explore South Africa like never before. Hidden gems, welcoming small towns, scenic back roads, and the simple joy of choosing where to go next. Retirement travel in South Africa offers endless possibility, especially when your schedule belongs entirely to you.
And yes, we absolutely intend to test every local coffee shop along the way.
Freedom Has No Expiry Date
This chapter of our lives is about freedom, curiosity, and discovery. It is about embracing an active retirement lifestyle and proving that age does not define possibility.
Adventure has no age limit.
Age may slow you down slightly, but it cannot stop you from chasing new horizons, building memories with family, and saying yes to something unexpected.
Because sometimes the boldest journeys begin exactly when you least expect them.
Article by YEI on behalf of “The Ageless Adventurers”
I totally get it – if you are fortunate enough to have the “where with all” to be able to do that – then those first retirement years (with good health) should be “a living adventure”!
After retirement we did a month in Israel going from top to bottom, from water buffalo in the north, churches & tells, Jerusalem, the Negev desert to the Red Sea. Another adventure took us on “the roads less travelled” through South Africa (passes we had never heard of & places we didn’t know existed). And multiple trips into KNP. As well as visiting family in Australia trying to visit new places each time.
Following Ross’ passing (10 years ago) a trip we had promised ourselves but did not get the opportunity to do was the Northern Territory in Australia. So through a Tour group – I did the adventure of Darwin, Alice Spring, Uluru etc – loving it all & knowing that Ross would be smiling down!
Then for my 80th, undertook with my sister & 2 friends a self drive adventure trip to the Kgalagadi with a tour group, an adventure not to be forgotten – camping, sand dunes, rock formations, camels and the Kgalaghadi reserve itself with snakes, birds, lions and amazing people!
So people- if you are able – make your last chapter an adventure – a life to be lived – not at full pace but in your time and on your terms! Still going at 83 – just a bit slower! Ginny
Ginny, what an adventurer you are. We love your story! We are going to enter your story into the YEI Member Spotlight competition! Watch this space where it will be published.
The YEI Team